Resumes
An effective resume showcases your experience in such a way that it motivates an employer to contact you to schedule an interview. Your resume should reflect how your education and experiences fit and exceed the requirements for the position to which you’re applying. Think of your resume as a marketing tool that communicates the value you will bring to the employer.
The “3 C’s of Resumes”
Clear
- Make sure your resume addresses the required qualifications for the position to which you're applying.
- Include skills listed in the job description, and ensure they are easily identifiable.
- Be sure to tailor your resume to each position you pursue; resumes aren't one-size-fits-all!
Concise
- For recent graduates or sales professionals, the standard resume length is 1 page.
- If you’re more experienced or you’re in a field like teaching, a 2-page resume is acceptable.
- References should be listed on a separate reference page.
Clean
- Make sure your resume is easy to read
- Format your resume in such a way that a hiring manager can skim the document and still see key information.
- Stick to traditional fonts that are pre-loaded on most computers, like Times New Roman, Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, and Georgia.
- Don’t use more than 2 fonts on your resume.
- Use 10, 11, or 12 pt font for the body of your resume.
- Highlight your achievements and skill sets with bulleted statements beginning with action verbs.
- Avoid using full sentences and personal pronouns (e.g., I, me, my).
- Set headings, position titles, locations, etc. apart by consistently using bolding/italics throughout your resume; Consistency helps your resume look clean and professional.
- Remember your audience; unless you’re in a creative field (e.g., graphic design) where your resume is considered part of your portfolio or brand, steer clear of using colors and other images on your resum